If your hair is naturally curly, or even just wavy, you have probably tried every single product available in the supermarket to give definition to your hair. If you are reading this, it is safe to assume you are still looking for the perfect hair care routine. Come along then, and let’s explore the Curly Girl Method together!
What makes curly hair curly?
First things first, let’s talk curls: what are they? One could say the shape of the hair is determined before you even have it. The little structure that defines the way your hair grows is called follicle and its shape is related to your genes. That shape is also what primarily dictates your hair type. If you have round follicles, your hair is straight, if they are oval (or almost oval) then you have wavy to curly hair.
If you are one of those people who was born with straight hair that turned curly, don’t worry, it is normal. Besides genes, there are other factors that can affect your hair shape and texture, such as hormones.
Regardless of its type, from wavy to coily, curly hair tends to be drier than straight hair. And with dryness comes an array of other problems: frizz, lack of definition, no bounce, you name it. Sounds familiar? Then read on and discover how to tackle these problems using the Curly Girl Method.
What is the Curly Girl Method?
Put simply, the Curly Girl Method was created by Lorraine Massey and became popular after her book “Curly Girl, The Handbook” was released. Her approach is simple: trade damaging habits for healthy hair regimes. If followed strictly, this method promises naturally defined and bouncy curls and an overall healthy-looking hair. In all fairness, the rules can be a little strict, so we have gathered a simple list of dos and don’ts to help you get started.
Here’s the Curly Girl Method for absolute beginners:
The basic rules are of the “don’t” variety:
- Don’t use shampoo;
- Stop using heat styling tools;
- Don’t use combs and brushes;
- Avoid products that contain sulfates, no water-soluble silicones, waxes, non-natural oils, alcohol, or fragrances.
A few more in-depth rules, as per the book, are:
- Only co-wash, or conditioner-washing, meaning only using conditioners with cleansing properties (such as the Klorane Nourishing & Repairing Cupuaçu Butter Conditioner);
- Use silicone massage brushes or fingers on your scalp, never fingernails;
- Detangle your hair using only your fingers or wide-tooth combs;
- If heat is necessary, only use blow driers with a diffuser at the lowest speed and temperature;
- Do not cut your hair while it is wet.
It is normal to feel a bit overwhelmed at first. And that is why we’ve put together a simple routine you can follow to give life to those curls! Change is hard, and changing your whole hair care routine can be even harder, so here’s a simple routine to get you started:
Shampoo + Mask + Conditioner + Styling
Start with a low poo shampoo. Low poo means the shampoo doesn’t have harsh surfactants that would strip away the natural moisture of your hair. We can recommend Klorane Anti-Pollution Detox Shampoo with Aquatic Mint.
Then, follow with a mask compatible with the Curly Girl Method, such as these Garnier Fructis Hair Food masks.
Apply conditioner to the hair in sections and detangle it with your fingers. Try the Lazartigue Nourish High Nutrition Conditioner!
Finish everything up with a styling product like René Furterer Volumea Volumizing Foam for defined curls that will last.
Oh, and here’s an extra tip: regardless of your hair type, the way you dry it has a lot of impact on its health. For a better and healthier-looking hair, trade your regular towels for microfiber ones. If those are an extra expense you can’t afford, here’s a cheap trick: soft t-shirts. Yes, you read that right, wrap a cotton t-shirt around your hair and let it dry naturally. Above all, just never rub or twist your hair tightly as that leads to more breakage.
And that’s it! Start small, evaluate how your hair feels, and keep an eye out for the results–which might actually be noticeable straight away!
Just keep in mind that it is possible to achieve satisfactory results even if you don’t follow everything strictly. (It’s normal to enjoy nice-smelling hair products!) Every hair type is different, even if they look similar. We encourage you to check our list of products, read the descriptions, check the ingredients on our website, and then follow your heart… and hair!
